Marshall and Ashby, a former winner of this title when she lived in Eastbourne, and who now resides in Livingston and plays at Midlothian, joined forces and produced the goods in the epic two-hour final last Sunday.

Defending champions Davies and Gourlay started brightly and clinched the first set by a three-shot margin in the 11th and final end.

But Marshall and Ashby responded well in the second set, building up an 8-3 lead before levelling the match.

In the tie-break best-of-three-ends, Marshall clinched the first end, and then delivered a winner in the second to seal victory for the second seeds.

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"They got off to a good start, and when we lost the first set I spoke to Carol and agreed that we would think of the next set as the start of a new game," Marshall said.

"I played a lot better in the second set, and Carol played some good bowls."

Marshall turned his attentions to his singles campaign on Tuesday but he crashed out to rising star Stewart Anderson, who won 4-10, 9-4, 2-1 to book his a place in the quarter final.

Marshall had coasted through his opening match last Thursday when he beat English qualifier Tim Stone in straight sets 10-6, 7-3.

More bowls news in East Lothian News, January 22, 2010